The first year of school in America, known as kindergarten(幼儿园), usually
begins between the ages of five and six. Among rich countries such a late start
is very strange. President Obama believes it is an economic and social problem;
his education secretary goes as far as to say that it is “morally wrong”. This
statement has some support,as it is clear from research into vocabulary that
youngsters from poor families enter kindergarten well behind those from rich
families a disadvantage that usually lasts a lifetime. Children from households
on welfare knew 525 words by the age of three, while the children of
professionals had ed 1,116.

Pre-school can help close this gap. So in a speech last month, Mr. Obama
called for a partnership between the federal government and the state, to expand
it to every American child. It later became known that “every” meant those who
come from families with incomes of up to 200% above the poverty line-equal to an
income of $47,000 for a family of four.

Some critics(评论家)say that sending children to school at the age of four does
not work. The evidence suggests otherwise. For example, on March 20th new
results were announced from a study of 9 to 11 year olds in New Jersey. This
report found that disadvantaged children who had attended preschool had better
literacy(读写能力), language, math and science skills. And two years of
prekindergarten were better than one.

Some studies also follow the effects of early learning over lifetimes, such
as its effect on crime rates and other factors that may ually burden
society. Critics have singled out a government scheme called Head Start, created
in 1965, which provides poor households with a range of services including
school-based early education.

21. The kindergarten in other rich countries usually begins()than in
America.

A. earlier

B. later

C. slower

22. Which is TRUE about the vocabulary size of the two groups of kids?

A. Poor preschool kids have a larger vocabulary than rich ones.

B. Rich preschool kids have a larger vocabulary than poor ones.

C. There is no obvious difference between the two groups of kids.

23. Which of the following about the New Jersey study is TRUE?

A. There is no evidence to support the New Jersey study.

B. Two years of prekindergarten were better than one.

C. Sending children to school at the age of four is not going to help.

24. The phrase “single out” in the last paragraph means().

A. count

B. think about

C. choose

25. Which of the following is an appropriate title for this passage?

A. Secondary Education.

B. Preschool Education.

C. Poor Kids' Education.